by Marti Shane
“Condom,” he explained, pushing up on spaghetti arms and watching the room spin. Damn. Sam laughed lazily sprawled out before him, her arms thrown over her head.
“That’s a good look.” Her sparkling green eyes shot above his head, her fingers twisting one of her raven strands. His dick twitched remembering her grip on his hair. Sweet hell, the noises she made when she came in his mouth. “You should let me do your hair more often,” she teased. He was on board, and his body too.
“Can you pencil me in? Say, twenty minutes?” Removing the condom, he climbed off the bed.
“I’m wide open and you’re the only one on the books.”
“Excellent.”
She rolled to her side, propping her pretty face in her hand. Her eyes followed the condom disposal process, a wrinkle creasing her forehead.
“You’re on birth control?” He asked, washing his hands at the sink,
“Why?” He could hear her panic in the single syllable. “Did it break?” She sat up, her slender legs bent to one side and her breast a beautiful display. “Jake.” Sam snapped when he didn’t answer.
“No.” He shook his head. “Sorry, come-cloudy.” He tapped his temple, pulling two Gatorades from the fridge. One blue and one white.
“Come-cloudy?” She laughed, the panic dialed down in her tone. He’d never ridden bareback, and now wasn’t the time to bring it up. She had enough on her plate, so he’d deal for now. “You’re sure everything was okay?” Her eyes darted between his and the disposed condom in the trash. Fuck, why’d he bring it up?
“Positive.” He sat the drinks aside, sitting on the bed and pulling her to his lap. “That’s not why I brought it up.” Sam’s eyes widened. He pressed his lips to hers, stealing a quick kiss. “Let’s drop it.” Something raw clouded her features, her expression unreadable and quickly erased with an awkward smile.
“I have a birth control implant, but…” She shrugged and he hated he’d brought it up.
“We’ll use condoms,” he reassured her, reaching for her drink. “I always have.” Pressing the cold drink to her leg, he enjoyed her squirming in his lap. “Cold?” She screamed and squirmed as he touched her abs and breast, fighting him for the drink. He tossed her easily to the mattress, her breasts forming perfect mounds as she lay on her back. Taking a few swigs from her bottle, he dangled it over her.
“You don’t even like this kind.” She swiped the bottle, sitting up and taking a drink.
“I like it mixed with you.” Sam flushed three shades of pink, her dark lashes shielding her eyes from his. He loved her personality. Confident, but shy. She’d blushed a similar shade the first time they’d met, and he realized now he was a freakin’ liar. He’d wanted her then, and wanted her ever since.
After they took turns draining the cool liquid, he tossed the bottle aside. Sam combed her fingers through his hair, her nails on his scalp shooting straight to his dick. She leaned in, lips covering his like he was hers to explore. He was. She could take whatever she wanted. She deepened the kiss, tilting his face up to hers as she straddled his lap. Leaning his weight back on his eager hands, enjoying the feel of her hands roaming his skin, she broke the kiss, her sexy mouth nibbling at his ear. He wanted her lips all over him, her silky hair sweeping his skin.
“It’s my turn to taste you.” His balls tingled in response, her fingers following the thin trail of hair beneath his naval. “Everywhere.” Arousal drained the blood from his brain, and he swelled thick and hard in the hand she wrapped around him. She stroked the length of him, her tongue sweeping between his parted lips. “Lay back. I’m going to take my time,” she promised in a husky voice his body had no trouble understanding. He was in full compliance, shoulders hitting the mattress and eyes trained on Sam.
He loved how she wore her birthday suit like the uniform of the day. She wasn’t body conscious at all, bending and turning with natural movements instead of moving pose to pose and sucking things in. He brushed her hair to the side, giving a view of her mouth rounding his nipple. The tight nub didn’t hold her interest, her teeth nipping the skin before trailing down his side. The sharp pain lit up his spine, her soft lips and hair pulling him from the mattress as she trailed the sensitive skin at his side. She smiled up at him, her hand soothing with the right pressure to heat the chill bumps left in her wake.
Sam’s eyes were locked on his as she eased down to her stomach stretched between his legs, an elbow propped on either side of his hip. Holy hell, she had no idea what she did to him. Her finger ran the chord of muscle stretching from his abs to his hips, her bottom lip caught in her teeth.
“I like this.” Her eyes were pure heat, lips curving to tease. The muscles pulled tight under her teasing touch, the nerves working in overdrive prickling under his heated skin. His erection grew heavy on his stomach, threatening to blow.
Sam took mercy, her hand wrapping him once again. She pulled to her knees, breasts swaying beneath her and ass peaking over the dip in her spine. Jake raised to his elbows, hand pushing her hair aside. Her warm mouth attached to the base of him, her tongue molding around the thick vein and traveling to his tip. Her hand followed her mouth, the friction heaven as she licked her way on the downstroke. Repeating the upstroke, her velvet tongue molded his shaft, her mouth sucking him in at the top.
Jake sucked in oxygen through gritted teeth, Sam’s lips wrapped around his dick erotic as hell. Her cheeks hollowed as she sucked him, her tongue swirling his tip. Her hand kept a steady rhythm jacking him into her mouth. He spasmed somewhere deep, straining not to surge into her mouth and feeling his dick leak. “Mmmm.” Sam moaned as she circled his head, licking her lips as she bathed his shaft in the pre-cum. Fuck, he was going to explode. She brought out the sprinter in him, he’d have to work on making it last.
“Come here.” He pulled her up his body, sitting to meet her half-way. His took her mouth, tasting himself with her. Her sex was wet and hot against him, her breaths shallow when he broke the kiss.
“I wasn’t done,” she panted, knees planted in the mattress on each side of him. He wouldn’t take his pleasure without giving her hers.
“We’ll finish together.” He pushed her hair over her shoulder, kissing the column of her neck. His hand searched blindly for the condom he’d thrown on the bed.
“Got it.” Sam ripped the foil between them, positioning the latex over his tip. “You’re so big.” She breathed, sheathing him from tip to base. She stroked him, her words stroking his ego as she raised up on her knees. Her walls were slick with her juices as she swallowed him, the tight channel fitting like a glove. “Very, very big.” The words were husky and strained as she slid down to his base, gripping him like a vice. She rocked her hips, lifting and easing back down when her full body shiver delivered fresh juices to her core. Her body was made for sex, sensual and responsive to her needs and his.
Sam once again took control, coaxing him to his back and reaching behind her to rest her weight on his hips. The view was spectacular, her lean body on display. Her nipples were puckered tight, breasts bouncing softly as she rode him. The soft strands of raven hair tickled his thighs as her head tilted back, her pace picking up when he started to thrust. The sheen on his shaft was hypnotic plunging in and out of her as she rode him, making him harder and closer to the edge. Her sweet moans turned to pleas, her hips rocking on the down thrust as she built herself higher. Digging his heels in, he pumped up into her, hands wrapping her hips as she let out a cry.
“Jake!” She cried between gasps, her grip punishing his thighs. She was a damn good sprinter, digging deep for the final stretch. He was learning her sounds, her body, and her sense of panic before she came. “Ah!” Pulling her forward, he flipped them staying inside her. “Mmm.” She rolled her hips. “I need you.” She panted, followed with more desperate pleas as her pleasure peaked.
His knees found purchase on the mattress, his dick seeking that magic spot inside. He pumped deep and slow pulling back the reins on her pending re
lease. Pleasure pulsed from his spine, keeping him buzzed like a runner’s high. Tension faded from her features, her body soft and long legs gently wrapping his. He could stay inside her all day and, judging from her softened moans, she was happy to do the same. Her hands roamed his body and he was happy to let her explore. He craved her touch, and her taste. Jake lost himself in Sam, their bodies slick with sweat and breaths quick when they broke their kiss. His balls were drawing up tight, making his thrust harder but at the same pace. Sam’s hand tightened around his nape, a slow smile stretching across her face. Her back arched, the sweetest sound soaring from her lips on release. He stilled inside her, her warm juices pulsating around him as she came. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, his favorite shade tinting her cheeks.
“Whoops.” She laughed softly, her green eyes dazed. His lips found hers, smiling against him as he pumped into her.
The swarm nesting in Jake’s spine broke free, a whole-body buzz taking hold as he shot his seed. Sam broke the kiss, a whimper escaping her as he stroked her sensitive flesh.
“I’ve got you.” He pumped twice more, scooping her to his chest and burying his face in her hair. His dick twitched and spilled, the aftershocks rocking him deep. A shiver worked through them both, Sam tightening around him and drawing the last seed.
Jake rolled to his back, not wanting to crush Sam beneath him. He was dizzy and spent, and in deep shit. Yeah, the sex was great, but then what happened next made his chest ache. He’d just made love to her, or was that second-round stamina mixed with coitus bliss? You can’t make love to someone if you’re not in love with them. Right? It was just second-round, he convinced himself. The way she came softly and without warning was due to the explosive orgasms they had the first time around.
The mattress shifted next to him, Sam swinging her feet over the edge of the mattress. She sat up, her hair shielding her face and then her back to him. Damn, he was an asshole wrapped up in his head. He sat up, hand running her spine and loving the dampness of her hair. He planted a kiss at her nape, catching their scent.
“Don’t think about leaving this bed.” She turned her face to his, worry clouding her pretty features.
“I’m hitting the shower.” She gave a quick peck to his lips before pushing from the bed. A hard knock at the door kept him from pulling her back to the bed. “Unless you have my phone, go away.” Sam spouted through the door before closing herself in the bathroom. Jake snapped off the condom, scrambling for his jeans.
“Jake has your phone.” Jax ratted him out through the door. Sam didn’t respond. Hopefully the news didn’t travel through the two pine doors. Pulling his jeans on and finger-combing his hair, he opened the door.
“Thanks.” He thumped his brother’s chest. His brother peeked in the cabin over his shoulder before stepping in.
“We’re headed out. Travis is dropping me at my place on the way.” Jax’s eyes caught the scattered lace on the floor. “Be careful.” Jake didn’t miss the multiple meanings.
“Will do. You, too.” Jax shook his head, a knowing grin as he stepped outside.
“Always,” he called back, the screen door slamming back on the frame. Jake latched it, the cabin needing to breathe fresh air. The shower kicked on, the curtain sliding across the rods telling him she was in. He turned the door knob, feeling a rush of relief she hadn’t locked herself in. He watched her silhouette through the curtain as he stepped out of his jeans. She was arched back under the spray, her hands in her hair.
Jake stepped in the tub-shower combo. Sam’s eyes were closed as she rinsed her long hair. She turned her back to him, suds floating down her slender back and the sweet curve of her ass. The view was one he could take in all day, but he wanted her to check in, needed to see her face. He collected her in his arms, gently turning her to him so they were chest to chest, face to face under the cool spray. Her hands found his back, first for balance and then, to his delight, started small caressing circles. Her expression was content and he thought maybe they were okay.
“Are you staying the night?” she asked, eyes meeting his. It was his plan all along and he hated that she had to ask.
“I wouldn’t miss cuddle time.” He snuggled her in tighter, pressing a kiss to her lips. Brain fried from sex and holding her naked in his arms, he couldn’t sort out her vibe. Maybe it was going home that had her off-center, or maybe he’d caused it when he’d gotten caught up in his own head. Maybe she was having the same reaction as him.
Chapter Nine
Sam blinked, the monstrosity before her too ridiculous to take in.
“What the hell is this?” she asked. Jake slid her bag from her shoulder, his smile proud as he spread his arms wide.
“Your coach, my lady.” He gave a slight bow before tossing her bag in the back seat.
“It’s camouflage,” she noted in awe, taking a tentative step towards the oversized Jeep.
“And topless.” He swept her up, her arms circling his neck as her heart melted. She’d dreaded the ride home, crammed in a small space. He had a sweatshirt neatly folded on the front seat, her phone cradled in the hands-free dock. “Equipped with your favorite playlists.”
“I love it.” She laughed, kissing him before he buckled her in. “Where did you get this?” she asked, when they were cranked and idling down the back drive. Jake worked the clutch, his comfort with the manual transmission reminding her of his roots. He was experienced with heavy equipment, a man happy with big toys. His smile was bright.
“This was our first ride,” he said proudly. “We paid five grand apiece. Mom and Dad matched us dollar for dollar.” Rolling to a stop at the main road, he reached behind the seat, pulling a cap from his bag. It was weathered, like the Jeep, threadbare around the faded red brim. “Can’t wear this one anymore.” He passed the Atlanta Braves cap to her, pulling a Texas Rangers one over his freshly showered hair.
“So. You were a Braves fan?” She pulled her ponytail through the back, snugging the cap to her head.
“We all make mistakes.” He pulled out onto Promise Pike, the two-lane road stretching for miles ahead. Once Jake shifted into the final gear, he wrapped her hand in his. The sun warmed them from overhead, the breeze just right in the clean, fresh air. She never touched her phone, except to switch Jake’s to the cradle. They skipped through his playlist over the two-hour ride, talking best workout songs, best road trip songs, best songs ever made. They were miles apart, his taste leaning toward country and classic rock. She didn’t hate anything she listened to so far, it was just new.
“I’ve never driven a stick,” she confessed, when they were bumper to bumper downtown Atlanta. Jake pulled forward, legs working the pedals as he shifted with ease.
“What do you drive?” he asked, shifting again.
“An Uber.” He glanced over in surprise. “Well, Gram has…” She caught herself. “I mean I have Gram’s little SUV.”
She drove one of Nick’s cars if she needed one for work, but being chauffeured allowed her to multi-task and their budget allowed for it.
“I can show you,” he offered. “You drive, right?”
“Only when I have to.”
“Don’t blame you in this traffic. Boston couldn’t be much better.”
“My dirt bike had gears. It’s the same, right?”
“You had a dirt bike?”
“We all did.” She pointed to her street, Jake using his blinker before switching lanes. “That was before we graduated to jet-skis.”
“I didn’t think you were a tomboy.” He navigated the turn and she motioned for him to stay in the right lane. “Do you still ride?”
“Have you seen what I wear to work?” Sam hadn’t thought about riding in years. She and Mick would spend hours on the trails, wasting whole days. The brilliant red awnings of her building were in sight. “That’s me with the red awnings.” Jake pulled them to curb, sliding in between blacked-out town cars waiting to chauffer tenants to Friday night engagements. Jake cut the engine, whistling
through his teeth. His eyes scaled the building, appreciating the antique architecture.
“Sweet.” He turned his hat backwards, leaning in for a kiss. “Yes.” He groaned against her lips. “I’ve seen what you wear to work.” Heat rushed through her, his lips quick and firm against hers. “I’ll walk you up, but I’ve gotta run out for a bit. I won’t be long.”
“Holy Shit!” The young voice rose over the chatter from the side walk. “You’re Jake Jaeger.” Jake’s jaw tightened, lips drawing a straight line. His hand cupped her face, as if shielding her from view.
“That’s Jimmy.” She whispered against his lips, recognizing the excited voice of the third-floor tenant. “Be nice to him?” she requested, unsure how Jake reacted to fans.
“Always,” he whispered back, turning his hat around and laying on the horn when Jimmy stepped off the sidewalk. Geez, that was nice? “Keep out of traffic, Sport.” Jake dropped the glove box, collecting a sharpie from inside. “Stay put,” he told Sam, hopping out and rounding the Jeep.
“Hey Sam.” Jimmy waived, his school uniform tie loose around his neck. He opened her door for her, the perfect little gentleman. “Sure sorry ‘bout Miss Sloane.” His eyes were on his Vans, his weight shifting foot to foot. She stepped out. His sentiment was sweet, hiding his excitement to meet Jake, who took her hand.
“Thank you, Jimmy. Me, too,” she managed. Jake pulled her close, letting Jimmy shut the door.
“Good man, taking care of my girl.” He praised Jimmy. “You need to clean up that mouth though.”“Sorry.” Jimmy shrugged. “You here ‘cause of Ms. Sloane? She knew lots of baseball players. Otis Smithfield came by yesterday and Mitch Owens was here this afternoon,” he said excitedly. Pulling out his notebook, he proudly showed proof. “See? They signed my notebook.”
Sam held her breath at the M-O-squiggly mark across the wide-ruled page. Her throat tightened, having just missed the confrontation.
“I tell you what,” Jake entertained the eight-year old after clearing his throat. “Run upstairs and get anything you want for me to sign. I’ll wait right here.” Jimmy was gone in a flash, leaving Sam to roast in Jake’s gaze.